Affordable housing complex proposed

Danielle Ameden/Daily News staff

Friday

Sep 26, 2008 at 12:01 AMSep 26, 2008 at 12:40 PM

The Zoning Board of Appeals next month starts scrutinizing plans for an affordable housing complex on the Holliston line, as the developer uses the state's Chapter 40B law to try to bypass local zoning laws.

PDF: Northland Quarry's 40B application

The Zoning Board of Appeals next month starts scrutinizing plans for an affordable housing complex on the Holliston line, as the developer uses the state's Chapter 40B law to try to bypass local zoning laws.

Northland Investment Corp. on Wednesday applied for a comprehensive permit to turn the former American Athletic Club into Quarry Pond Village, a 180-unit apartment complex.

A public hearing on Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. in Town Hall will mark the beginning of an anticipated months-long process of meetings and deliberation as the board weighs the applicant's rights and need for regional housing vs. the town's best interests and objections from officials and abutters.

"It's our responsibility to make certain that what's done here considers the goodness of the town of Milford but certainly we have guidelines that we must live within," said Zoning Board Chairman Jonathan Bruce.

At the meeting, the board will solicit input from residents, the applicant and other parties interested in the proposal.

The Zoning Board will also use the $27,000 application fee to hire experts to review Northland's traffic and environmental studies before making any decision.

"There's a lot to it," Town Counsel Gerald Moody said yesterday. "A lot has to be looked at."

In February, MassDevelopment decided the project was eligible to use the Chapter 40B affordable housing law.

Northland's plan involves making 20 percent of Quarry Pond's "luxury" apartments affordable for renters who make no more than 50 percent of the median income for the area. Seventy-two units would be one-bedroom and 108 would be two-bedroom. Nine would be handicapped-accessible.

Milford attorney Joseph Antonellis, who represents Northland, asked in the comprehensive permit application for a number of waivers to the zoning bylaw.

Among the reasons: the buildings would be over 35 feet in height, and there would be more units than allowed per the density formula in the town bylaw.

Last year, during meetings and a site visit at 445 East Main St., selectmen, other officials and abutters blasted Northland's plan for the five three- and four-story buildings on 11.2 acres.

Officials said the Milford sewer system could get tapped out by the complex, the project increased the risk of accidents on busy Rte. 16, and having an old quarry on the site is unsafe.

Northland spokeswoman Margaret Murphy yesterday said kinks have been worked out, and Antonellis and project manager Thomas Iskra will present the board with a "very solid" plan.

Northland has addressed the concerns raised, Murphy said, noting Northland is sending the town its studies by Monday.

"We're delighted to be able to finally have all the answers to all the various questions that we heard early on," Murphy said.

But some officials say there are still major concerns to address.

Sewer Superintendent John Mainini said he's perplexed as to why Northland filed for a comprehensive permit when the company hasn't yet met with the Sewer Department to solve issues with sewer service.

"As far as we're concerned, they're not ready, so why they went that route, I can't figure out what they're thinking," Mainini said.

Moody said the Zoning Board, during its review, will look for input from the Sewer Department and others, including the Planning Board, police and fire chiefs, Milford Water Co. and Conservation Commission.

"That's actually very, very important," Bruce said.

Water company manager Henry Papuga said he plans to attend the public hearing.

"The project itself is of concern to us because of the amount of water it is requesting," Papuga said.

He noted the water company is working with its Boston lawyer and hopes to have a sit-down with Northland to discuss the project.

Meanwhile, neighbors on the east side of town are rallying to protest Quarry Pond Village on Oct. 23.

"I'm going to tell everybody else in the neighborhood - we'll all go," said John Grecoe, who lives on nearby Pine Needle Circle.

Grecoe led a petition drive last year, finding 56 other people who shared his concerns about increased traffic, the complex's size and the anticipated strain on municipal resources.

"We think it's terrible: large corporate American screwing over the little people, as usual," Grecoe said.

In 2005, after much wrangling and debate, the Zoning Board granted a comprehensive permit with conditions for Milford developer Domenic Afonso's Beaver Pond Commons, a smaller-scale project with 88 townhouse condos under Chapter 40B.

"There isn't a way around 40B," said Town Planner Larry Dunkin, criticizing the legislation that makes it hard to stop developers from building the projects in communities that have less than 10 percent of its housing priced affordably. Milford is at about 7 percent.

"Local ZBAs are hard-pressed not to approve them - that's what 40B is all about," Dunkin said. "That's why, hopefully, it will be changed soon so there's more equity in how that stuff works."

Murphy said Quarry Pond Village will benefit the town, with high quality apartments and a clubhouse with fitness center and pool.

"It's going to be very nice," Murphy said.

Danielle Ameden can be reached at 508-634-7521 or dameden@cnc.com.

PDF: Northland Quarry's 40B application

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